5 Summer Must-Dos in Detroit

Summer is finally here! The long winter has passed and left behind clear blue skies that cause millions of Americans to develop the sudden desire to go outside for the first time in months.

Break out your flip flops and shorts with these 5 summer must-dos in Detroit. Enjoy all that Detroit has to offer when the sun comes out!

1) Go see Justin Verlander pitch another no-hitter!

(We're still bitter about that one)

Comerica Park offers great food and an excellent place to watch a baseball game. Even if the Tigers aren't playing their best baseball ever, it would be a shame to miss them throughout the entire summer. Aside from watching America's game, you can pay just $5 for a tour of Comerica Park and see for yourself the beauty it holds.

While you're at Comerica Park, you also have to join in the Detroit tradition of eating a Coney Dog. What is a Coney Dog you ask? A "Coney" is a beef hot dog smothered in an all-meat, beanless chili with diced white onions and yellow mustard. Decide for yourself who has the best "original" Coney at Lafayette Coney Island and American Coney Island in downtown Detroit after the game!

2) Check out Kanye or the Red Wings at Joe Louis

When it’s not covered in ice and Red Wings, the Joe Louis Arena hosts a number of events. Like concerts? Check out Kanye West as he goes on his Saint Pablo Tour this September. Other options include dying of laughter while watching Louis C.K. in August or joining in on the madness as WWE Monday Night Raw returns this July. Regardless of what interests you, you are guaranteed to find a good time.

Once Fall rolls around, make sure to visit "The Joe" one more time during the Red Wings' final season before they move to the new stadium in Midtown. Catch a game in the same place where hockey greats like Yzerman, Lidstrom, Fedorov, and Datsyuk spent most of their careers. Especially with a name like "The Little Ceasars Arena", we're all going to miss "The Joe" and the decades of memories.

3) Celebrate the Fourth of July with epic fireworks

America's birthday is coming up next week. What better way to celebrate our nation’s independence than with Fireworks! Whether you’ve lived in the city for years or it’s your first time here, Hart Plaza is the place to see the annual Fireworks. Note that the celebrations typically take place the week before July 4th.

4) Get your need for speed

Detroit is America's Motor City. We're known for having two major summer events that involve fast cars. The first of them taking place in early June is the Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. Belle Isle is converted to a 2.3-mile race circuit for the weekend as you gawk at IndyCars and SPEED trucks driving insanely fast.

Don't like fast cars? Like the concept of jet engines strapped to boats? Celebrate the 100th anniversary of Hydrofest this August right on the Detroit River instead! Get your need for speed fix in Detroit.

5) Get cultured at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA)

Last but not least, Detroit is home to the world famous Detroit Insitute of Arts. Home to Diego Rivera's awe-inspiring murals depicting Detroit industry and possibly the best museum cafe, the Kresge Court (where else can you enjoy a full bar surrounded by a charming indoor brick courtyard?). No matter how many times you’ve been, there’s always something new to see at the DIA. Check out one of the “Visit the Great Indoors” weekly events and experience Summer at the DIA. Bring a date and fawn over world-class art including Picasso’s Melancholy Woman before they leave the museum!